What ICD-10-CM code is assigned for a patient with metastatic cancer to the brain?

• A. E10.11
• B. C79.31
• C. C85.16
• D. Z85.118

Answer: (B)

The ICD-10-CM code that correctly identifies metastatic cancer to the brain is C79.31. This specific code is designated for secondary malignancy in the brain, indicating that cancer originating from another site in the body has spread to the brain.

Metastatic cancer refers to the process where cancer cells break away from the primary tumor and travel to other parts of the body, forming new tumors. In this case, the brain has become the location of a secondary growth. The coding system is structured in a way that helps healthcare professionals accurately track and document the type and location of cancers, ensuring proper treatment and billing.

The other options represent different conditions or locations not pertinent to metastatic cancer in the brain. E10.11 refers to type 1 diabetes with ketoacidosis, C85.16 relates to another type of lymphoma, and Z85.118 denotes a personal history of other malignant neoplasms, none of which apply to metastatic brain cancer. Therefore, C79.31 is the appropriate choice for this scenario, aligning with the defined classification of secondary malignancies.